The penalty for aggressive panhandling in New Hanover County has doubled monetarily–but as revised it may save jail space and associated costs.
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners on Monday amended the related ordinance to allow for a “broader range of penalties” than the previous $50 maximum fine and up to 30 days imprisonment for the misdemeanor.
A violation now may fetch a $100 civil penalty, a way of giving deputies an option other than arrest for aggressive begging charges, said New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Jerry Brewer. “It’s better to fight this civilly,” he said.
By issuing a civil citation, the New Hanover County Detention Center won’t necessarily have to house the offender, who if truly homeless or resourceless will likely remain in jail until his or her trial date.
“You have to house them, you have to feed them, you have to give them healthcare for a month,” said Brewer.
For September, the county jail’s average daily population was 594. Brewer said 25 were homeless persons who generally had to stick around.
“It’s always been an issue,” Brewer said.
The amended ordinance, which still allows authorities to pursue violations as misdemeanors, addresses begging carried out in an “aggressive manner.” That can entail physical contact with a person being solicited, following a person in a way that creates fear, blocking a person from passage, or using obscene or threatening language in the act.
In New Hanover County it’s also unlawful to beg or solicit on private property against the property owner’s will; on the side of the road to motorists or passengers driving or stopped on a public street; or within 15 feet of the entrance or exit of any bank or within 15 feet of any automated teller machine without permission from the property owner.
